Steam - Install multiple PCs?

Ramius

I never really used Steam before.

I bought the Portal 1 and 2 combopack through the Steam sale last week, but didn't have a chance to download and install them right away. Now, I'm out of town at my parent's house - wondering if I log into Steam on their computer and download and install Portal 2 to play this weekend would I be able to uninstall it then re-download back at home later?

In other words, does Steam allow you to download and install on as many computers as you want, or can you only download it once after purchase?

I'm sure there is a FAQ somewhere with the answer, but hey, I figure someone here must know.

schuss

Yes, you can install in as many locations as you want, but you can only be logged into 1 at a time (you don't even need to uninstall)

Raneados

make sure you turn off the security option that only allows you to play from 1 PC

apparently that motherfucker is unbeatable

StrifeRaZoR

Steam has implemented a new security feature in the past 5-6 months that helps people with this issue (Sorta). If you install Steam on multiple PCs, you can log into your account from any computer at any time (Just so long as the account isn't logged in at multiple places at once). If you connect on your home PC and download your library or whatever games you have, you can log in elsewhere and download your library all over again. If you DO change PCs, Steam will send you an e-mail to your registered e-mail alerting you that the last known IP has changed along with a short security code that will be required to log in at the new location. Think of it as a WoW Authentication code of sorts.

A quick tip if you use multiple PCs: Log in on your main system first, download your library, then set Steam to Offline Mode. That way you can start Steam up without connecting to their servers and switch computers at will. Just make sure your most frequently used computers are updated with any patches, then you can set it to offline mode. Steam is pretty awesome once you get used to it

Ramius

awsome, thanks for the ocmprehensive answers.

Sir Headless VII

Another tip, you don't have to download the games again on your second pc. You can use Steams backup and restore features and a usb drive (or any other method of getting files from one pc to another) to transfer the files from one pc to another (although i guess that wont help you now).

drum45

we have two computers and I want to let my little brother load steam to play some of the games I buy. When he plays and updates, will he overwrite my progress, or if I have some mods loaded that aren't appropriate for people his age, will it install when he updates online?

Esh

drum45 wrote: »

we have two computers and I want to let my little brother load steam to play some of the games I buy. When he plays and updates, will he overwrite my progress, or if I have some mods loaded that aren't appropriate for people his age, will it install when he updates online?

For his, and your own, good, uninstall the naked Skyrim mods. ;-)

Chases Street Demons

If a game is steam cloud enabled, he'll have access to your save games. You can disable that in the properties of each game individually. Mods are not carried from computer to computer. Stuff like DLC is, because it's part of the game.